Remembering Gary and impersonating Ginola!
FIRSTLY, a big ‘thank you’ to those of you who have stopped me in the street or shop to talk about the column or, to be precise, the lack of it recently. Sorry about that! I really do appreciate it, and it’s so good to hear your thoughts on the game, the good, the bad and the ugly.
I have witnessed, and or been involved in, so many roles and jobs, with so many experiences over this last 35 years, and counting, but it always comes back to the fans, and to that wonderful word: opinion.
I do wonder though how many times VAR will crop up in the conversations outside the Co-op this season.
I start with a mention to Gary Shaw, the legendary Aston Villa player who died this week at the age of 63. Such tragic news, he was a top player and person.
The only Liverpool game I ever managed to get to with my Dad as a young boy was in 1983, stood in the Kop with my dad as a Liverpool fan. Gary Shaw scored a penalty for Villa, Nigel Spink saved Phil Neal’s spot kick, twice, and Gary Johnson levelled late on for Liverpool.
When the Reds scored, I was taken on a journey with the mass wave of Liverpool fans swaying from side to side and me travelling with the crowd for around 40 yards. It was an unforgettable moment for me at the age of 11 and a poignant memory after the news this week. RIP GS.
Ironically, I signed for Everton at the age of 14 and so my love for Liverpool had to be stifled a fair bit, some of my training and match day jobs at Bellefield and Goodison Park included bringing players their Daily Post, running match day warm-up baths, and most notably staying out of the way of players that had a temper!
How times change, eh?
Closer to home and our local clubs had a topsy-turvy weekend, with Torquay United losing in the FA Cup, which was a shock, and Exeter losing out narrowly to Steve Bruce’s Blackpool right at the death. But what an important win for Argyle, even at this early stage of the season.
In a week that has seen Stoke City sack former Argyle manager Steven Schumacher, Saturday’s win for the Greens - and for Wayne Rooney - was huge. I was delighted to see the result and for a club stalwart - and leader Joe Edwards to score the winner.
We all have our clubs and our rivalries, but Joe does it right, and he is an example to any young player that hard work and commitment brings reward.
The Championship as a division is littered with teams and clubs with massive budgets, with very good coaches, managers, and of course players, and I for one would be delighted to see Argyle get past that magic number of points required for safety, and then let’s see where the season can go.
Since we last spoke, we have a new England manager, Lee Carsley, a new Prime Minister, Kier Starmer, Donald Trump is running for President in the US; well perhaps a slow walk for fear of his hair flying off, and another player has been tempted by Saudi’s riches, Brentford’s Ivan Toney. Incredible journey for him that’s for sure. I remember putting a scout report in for Ivan when he was playing for Northampton at Scunthorpe away. And for the record, I said sign him!
At home, my son, Cameron, has signed for Aldershot, my daughters Issy and Hattie remain beautiful, ambitious, and consistently bring me back down to earth, a great combination, and Mrs H will have a meltdown if we do not buy a ‘forever’ house any time soon. For the last 10 years or so, it has been akin to Escape to the Chateux v Ground Force, and why you may ask? The answer is simple, for anyone who has been involved in the game will know, at some point, I do want to have to completely rely on the uncertain world of football. You know what I mean.
Lastly this week, a huge mention to the Madri Boys SSC, to Totness and Dartington FC, and to two charities, Young Lives vs Cancer and Landworks.
Playing in the charity game on Sunday, it was so good to bump into some old team-mates and colleagues of mine, playing for Torquay Allstars. Absolute top people and players and it was a pleasure to be in their company raising some money for two fantastic charities. A huge well done to everyone who made this event so special.
To hear the story of young Ben Hiscoke and his bravery, it brings home what life is about, never mind football. Supporting each other and helping each other, and remembering every single day how lucky we are, and for what we have.
To the charity game itself, well, as you know, I don’t like to talk about it, but if you insist… I saw the ball fall out of the sky, I took a superb touch off my formidable chest and faded a spectacular left footed volley with fade and dip into the corner of the net, running off to celebrate like a David Ginola Greek god, top off, waving it aloft! OK, so I shut my eyes, shinned a volley in, and embarrassed myself with an out of context celebration. You win.
The last three days have been spent with me limping around the house, moaning about my body, and regretting playing my first 90 minutes for two years!